The pad, aka the TF101, will get updated first in Taiwan, Asus said, but pledged to roll out the new Google operating system "in other regions soon".

The update takes the TF101's system software to release 9.2.1.11.

Separately, Asus posted a teaser vid for what it may say at next week's Mobile World Congress (MWC). With the tagline "twice the detail, twice the fun" and images emphasising pixels, it's hard not to conclude that the company will be showing off a 'retina display' tablet.

Showing off and shipping are different matters, of course. Will Asus - as many fans will hope - be able to get its ultrahigh-res offering out before Apple does with the 2048 x 1536 iPad 3 early next month. ®